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Breaking Out in Hives for No Apparent Reason

Sometimes the source of the raised, red, and itchy bumps on your skin can be a mystery.

One reason hives can be so surprising is that they can be caused by many things you might not expect including stress and exercise. Most of these unexpected causes for hives aren’t serious, but some are a sign it’s a good idea to make a medical appointment.

Read on for more information about reasons you may have hives.

Hives are an itchy reaction on your skin. They happen when a chemical called histamine is released in your body.

They can appear anywhere on your body and can be tiny pinprick-sized bumps or large raised areas that cover an entire limb. Hives often appear red or pink on white or light skin. People with darker skin might have hives that are slightly lighter or slightly darker than the skin surrounding them.

Share on PinterestHives on dark skin.
Created by Samuel Freire da Silva, M.D. in homage to The Master And Professor Delso Bringel Calheiros. Image obtained from Dermatology Atlas

No matter the color of your hives rash, all hives share these qualities:

• raised
• itchy
• tender
• round, oval, or uneven shaped
• clearly defined border

Hives are also called urticaria. Sometimes, the cause of hives is obvious. For instance, you might have an immediate reaction to something you’re allergic to such as pollen or pet dander. However, the cause isn’t always clear. Hives can be sudden and surprising and seem to not have a cause.

Hives are a very common skin reaction that can come from some unexpected sources. Some causes you might not have thought of include:

• Colds and other viral infections. Sometimes hives can be caused by your immune system fighting colds and other viral infections. These hives often appear near the end of your cold or virus as you’re starting to feel better. They’re most common in children but can happen to anyone.

• Bacterial infections. Bacterial infections such as strep throat or urinary tract infections can also sometimes trigger hives as your body reacts to the bacteria. These hives will fade as the antibiotics help your body fight the infection. They might peel before healing completely.

• Chronic conditions such as lupus. Hives that last for longer than 6 weeks might be a sign of an autoimmune condition such as lupus, type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, or rheumatoid arthritis. These hives won’t go away on their own. It’s a good idea to make a medical appointment to get this type of hive checked out and see if a chronic condition is the cause.

• Stress. Stress can raise your internal body temperature and release adrenalin and other chemicals that might trigger hives. Stress hives tend to be located on the face, neck, chest, and arms. They’re common in people with eczema, allergies, or sensitive skin.

• Temperature changes. Suddenly encountering hot or cold, such as stepping into a steamy shower or entering a swimming pool, can cause histamine to release and hives to form. Hives that form in response to temperature are called cold urticaria. A red and itchy area of skin often forms around these hives.

• Tight clothing. Tight clothing can cause friction that leads to irritation and to hives. Clothes that sit close to your skin can also push any bacteria on your skin surface into your pores and hair follicles.

• Exercise. A chemical called acetylcholine is released in your body when you exercise can affect your skin cells and cause irritation and hives. Exercise hives are known as exercise-induced urticaria. Some people have additional symptoms along with hives such as shortness of breath, headache, flushing, and stomach cramps.

• Inflammation of blood vessels. An inflammation of your blood vessels known as vasculitis can cause painful hives. They can leave a bruise on your skin and last for several days. Vasculitis is a serious medical condition that requires treatment by a medical professional.

• Medications. Some medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, and opioids can cause an allergic reaction that leads to hives. Hives following medication might be the first sign of a medical emergency called anaphylaxis. Other symptoms of anaphylaxis include shortness of breath, wheezing, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.

Seeking emergency medical care

Hives can be a sign of anaphylaxis. This is always a medical emergency that needs immediate care. If you have been prescribed an EpiPen for an allergy, use it.

Call 911, especially if you’re having trouble breathing. If you don’t have an EpiPen, the ambulance will have epinephrine that paramedics can use to provide immediate treatment and will likely reach you much faster than having someone drive you to a hospital. Paramedics can get you to the hospital quickly and monitor your condition the entire time.

Never attempt to drive yourself to the hospital during anaphylaxis. Even if it is a very short drive, it’s not safe to attempt. You can lose consciousness rapidly.

If possible, after you call 911, keep someone with you until paramedics arrive.

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Hives are often caused by identifiable allergies. Avoiding these allergens can help you avoid breaking out in hives. Common hive triggers include:

• shellfish
• eggs
• peanuts
• milk
• berries
• citrus
• animal dander
• poison ivy and other plants
• latex
• wool, polyester, and other fabrics
• pollen
• grass
• insect stings or bites
• dust mites
• mold
• detergents and dyes

Hives can be a sign of a serious allergic reaction that needs emergency medical emergency attention. It’s important to take action if you hives along with any of these symptoms:

• wheezing
• tightness in your chest or throat
• trouble breathing
• trouble talking
• swelling in your throat, face, or tongue
• nausea
• lightheadedness

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call 911.

A doctor may prescribe you an epinephrine injector, such as an EpiPen, for future allergic reactions. They’ll teach you how to use it and answer any questions you might have. You’ll keep your epinephrine injector on hand and use it if you develop hives in the future.

You’ll still need to visit the emergency room after you use your epinephrine injector, but it can stop anaphylaxis from becoming deadly.

A doctor can diagnose hives and help you find the cause. They might recommend you keep a food diary to find out if there is any link between food and your hives.

You might be sent to an allergist, a doctor who specializes in treating allergies, for additional testing. This might include blood work and urine tests to look for chemicals in your body that might tell the allergists what’s causing your hives.

You might also have a skin biopsy, especially if your allergist suspects vasculitis causing your hives. Hives that have lasted for longer than 6 weeks will likely necessitate testing for underlying chronic conditions.

Sometimes, a specific cause isn’t found. In this case, your hives will be diagnosed as idiopathic urticaria. The word “idiopathic” means unknown. In this case, your doctor will still be able to help you with a treatment plan, but you won’t be able to tell what to avoid to prevent hives in the future.

Treatment for hives will depend on the severity of your hives and on the cause. For instance, you’ll need to avoid the cause of your hives if it has been found.

Your doctor will work with you to find the right treatment for you. Common options include:

• Antihistamines. Both over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines block histamine and can treat hives. You might find that certain antihistamines are more effective for you than others. Sometimes a combination of antihistamines is recommended.
• Anti-itch lotions. Lotions to calm down itching and redness can provide relief from hives and prevent scratching.
• Antibiotics. Hives that are linked to bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics
• Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids can be taken on a short-term basis to help with severe cases of hives.

Read more about hives treatment options.

Hives can sometimes be surprising and have no obvious cause. There are actually a wide variety of things that can cause hives, including stress, colds, exercise, and temperature changes. Chronic hives can point to an underlying condition such as lupus.

An allergist can help you determine the cause of your hives and start treatment.

Urticaria – diagnosis and treatment at the medical center “Andreev Hospitals”

Urticaria – is a classic form of allergy and manifests itself in the form of profuse rashes in the form of blisters on almost all areas of the skin. The blisters can be from millimeters to 10 cm in size, usually pink or red. Allergic rash most often appears on the trunk, limbs, rarely – on the palms and soles of the feet and is accompanied by severe itching. The disease can be either single or recurrent; while sometimes you can simultaneously observe both fresh rashes and residual effects .

Urticaria is an allergic skin disease that manifests itself in the form of rashes similar to nettle burns.

Urticaria affects more than 19% of the population periodically. This disease causes certain inconveniences in the form of red blisters and constant itching. But it usually goes away after 36 hours.

Causes of urticaria

Causes of urticaria can be different: allergies to food, insect bites, stressful situations, taking certain medications, as well as the consequences of infection with helminths. Sometimes hives are the body’s reaction to dust, pollen, hot or cold weather, or prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light. If the urticaria is a consequence of these causes, it is called chronic. In this case, a thorough examination is necessary in order to prevent diseases of the internal organs, the presence of infection in the body. If the urticaria occurs for unknown reasons, it is called idiopathic.

Symptoms of urticaria

Urticaria usually appears unexpectedly. The first signs are severe itching and burning, as well as the appearance of blisters of various shapes and sizes on any part of the skin, even on the mucous membrane of the mouth and larynx. If you do not take any medication, the general condition of a person may worsen. There is a risk of urticaria, arthralgia.

Diagnosis of urticaria

Chronic urticaria is diagnosed by an allergist using provocative tests after a diet that excludes suspected allergens. To detect a reaction to dust or pollen, skin and radioallergosorbent tests are used. With idiopathic urticaria, a more extensive examination is prescribed: a skin biopsy is performed, a blood test is taken for ESR, a urine test, etc.

Treatment of urticaria

The best solution for treatment remains the identification and exclusion of the allergen. Traditionally, urticaria is treated with antiallergic or antihistamine drugs. If the rash does not go away, but becomes larger and poses a threat to life, it is necessary to consult an allergist. In this situation, emergency measures are taken: glucocorticoids are administered in large doses.

Prevention of urticaria

To prevent urticaria, it is necessary to follow a diet, exclude external factors that cause allergies, timely examine the body for the presence of chronic diseases and infections, and also prevent neuropsychological disorders.

If the disease is caused by eating foods, you need to review your diet. Dairy products, chocolate, smoked meats, as well as citrus fruits, eggs, berries, spices, and alcohol should be abandoned.

If you are allergic to ultraviolet light, you should protect exposed areas of the body from sunlight as much as possible. If there is a reaction to the cold, it is necessary to wear warmer clothes and shoes, as well as wear gloves.

It is not uncommon for urticaria to occur with the use of certain medications. In this situation, it is necessary to consult the attending physician, who will cancel the drugs and offer alternative ones. If the allergy arose against the background of a stressful situation, it is necessary to take sedatives and sedatives.

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Urticaria, symptoms and treatment of urticaria in adults and children in Podolsk

Urticaria is an allergic rash that occurs with dermatitis and other skin diseases. Synonyms for urticaria are the terms urticaria and urticaria.

It’s more of a symptom than an independent disease. It can be a manifestation of bronchial asthma, allergic shock or some kind of autoimmune disease.

It is extremely rare that this is an independent allergic reaction. Every third person experienced hives at least once, and 15% suffered it twice.

Urticaria is twice as common in adult women as in men. The cause may be hormonal disorders in the female body:

• pregnancy;
• menopause;
• menstrual cycle;
• taking oral contraceptives.

For any person, the following factors can serve as the cause of chronic urticaria:

• disorders of the immune system;
• infectious diseases;
• dermatitis;
• foodstuffs;
• diabetes mellitus;
• physical factors;
• gastritis;
• hepatitis;
• herpes;
• leukemia.

There are acute and chronic urticaria. Chronic form of urticaria, when symptoms persist for more than a month and a half. Moreover, there is a permanent and recurrent form of the disease: either the blisters never disappear, or they occur periodically.

There are several common types of hives:

1. Food is the body’s response to some food. Often it occurs in infants with the introduction of complementary foods, in older children it is less common, and in adults it appears against the background of diseases of the digestive system. Most Common Food Allergens:

• whole cow’s milk;
• chocolate, cocoa;
• chicken eggs;
• honey and bee products;
• citrus fruits;
• nuts;
• fruits, berries, red vegetables (apples, strawberries, tomatoes and bell peppers).

Some foods help to bring out the disease, although they do not provoke it themselves: coffee, alcohol, spicy or spicy foods, preservatives and flavor enhancers.

2. Solar – exposed to direct rays. A rash occurs on uncovered areas of the body, especially when applied to the skin of caring, cosmetic, medicinal products, and some types of perfume products with aromatic oils. These are external factors, and internal ones include drugs and toxic substances that are formed in the body in case of diseases of the kidneys, liver, and thyroid gland.
3. Cold – under the action of cold air or water.
4. Aquagenic – strong reaction to contact with water. Contact causes itching and may cause a rash.
5. Vibrating – as a result of working with equipment with strong vibration, such as a jackhammer.
6. Contact – when allergens come into contact with the skin: animal hair, plant pollen, dust.
7. Cholinergic – increase in body temperature from physical or emotional stress, hot or spicy food, baths or saunas. There are small pale blisters on the upper body.
8. Dermographic – with mechanical irritation: belt, rubbing buttons, tight clothing. With prolonged mechanical action, itching appears, and then blisters.

Urticaria in children

Up to 2-3 years, children have acute urticaria. Up to 13 years of age, children are prone to acute and chronic forms.